§ Mrs. DeanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to promote information technology on a local basis. [55082]
§ Mrs. RocheThis Government's aim is to ensure that the UK is recognised as a global leader in the Information Age. We therefore believe it is crucial that we encourage greater awareness and use of information and communication technologies (ICTS) by both business and individuals in the UK. Provision of advice on ICTs to small businesses at a local level is a core activity in the Department's Information Society Initiative (ISI) Programme for Business. This advice is provided by a UK wide network of local support centres which are based on Business Links and equivalent organisations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The IT for All initiative aims to raise awareness amongst the public of the benefits new technologies can bring in everyday life. About 3,000 local sites are currently listed on our database.